#9 Murphys, California

Population: 2,200

Getting there: Located in Calaveras County, Murphys is a 2.5-hour drive from San Francisco off Highway 4 East.

In this tiny gem of a town in the heart of California’s former gold rush country, you will not find a McDonalds, a big box store, or a chain of any kind. Everyone has a story and it won’t be long before you’re on a first name basis with the locals. Its history is rich.   Mark Twain once stayed here at the allegedly haunted and historic Murphy’s Hotel, as did Ulysses S. Grant.

Known as the Queen of the Sierras, Murphys delivers welcome surprises in spades. For one, there are excellent restaurants on Main Street serving mostly locally sourced food, especially considering there are only a few. You may be surprised to find an innovative vegetarian/vegan/raw menu at Mineral, from hot shot chef Steve Rinauro. The V is one of the nicest with an upscale menu, as is Grounds, the hot spot in town, no doubt thanks to its charismatic owner and the unofficial mayor of Murphys, River Klass. Next door is his more casual pizza/burger joint, Firewood. Also of note: Lila and Sage. Go for a cupcake and meet owner/baker extraordinaire Karen Henderson who last year was the local celebrity after winning the “Cupcake Wars” reality show.

Most surprising about Murphys is the vibrant wine culture. It’s like stepping back into the Napa Valley of 30 years ago, and that’s a good thing! You won’t find pretentious wine snobs. You will, however, find award-winning small production estate wines, a sense of humor and joy for the simplicity of good wine, and taste with the actual winemakers, who have either escaped Napa with a wealth of knowledge or who are young and ambitious and working their way up. Some of the best to get a good sample of Calaveras offerings: Vina Moda, Villa Vallecito, Newsome Harlow, Ayrael Vieux, Twisted Oak, and Lavender Ridge. All have their own unique personality and specialities. Some more old world style, some more contemporary in their big bold reds.

No visit would be complete without a trip to see the giant sequoias at Big Trees State Park. If looking for a unique adventure, go rappelling and spelunking into the old mineshafts at Moaning Caverns. The area has tons of hiking, swimming, and nearby boating as well. In the winter, skiing and snow sports are easily accessible nearby.

Where to stay: There are several options. Most convenient and in the center of town is the charming Victoria Inn. Hot tip: choose to stay at one of their vacation rentals instead of the Inn itself – you’ll have your own little cottage right in the heart of town. Of course, if you have dreams of sleeping with ghosts, the Murphys Historic Hotel is where to stay, but there are other more comfortable accommodations. To truly feel the spirit of a romantic getaway, stay outside of town at an adorable B&B or vineyard cottage, such as Querencia and Villa Vallecito.

Side trip:  Yosemite National Park

Ansel Adams’ incredible black and white photographs have captivated nature lovers since the late 1950s. Photography lovers still flock to the area to recreate the beauty on film (or memory card) for themselves. The Park, however, was one of the first protected wilderness areas in the country. With waterfalls and ancient Sequoias, vast meadows, and deep valleys, there is mind-blowing beauty around every corner. Just a 2-hour drive from Murphys, a short tour or drive through the park could be done in a long, ambitious day.

Accommodations however are available within and near the park if staying overnight and partaking in some of the hiking or climbing or waterfall viewing. In winter, go snowshoeing through the meadows. The Ahwahnee Hotel is the park’s historic hotel. Tenaya Lodge is just outside the park – full service, lots of accommodation options, and family friendly.

More info: www.visitmurphys.com,  www.nps.gov/yose

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